April 28, 1922 ~ August 7, 2014
Robert William Hagstrom of Aptos, California died on August 7th after a long and happy life. He was 92.
Bob was born on his family’s dairy farm in Gloucester, Massachusetts on April 28, 1922 to Swedish parents. During World War II, after two years at Tufts University, he joined the Navy and became part of the elite underwater demolition team known as the Frogmen, the unit that eventually became the Navy Seals. On an excursion with fellow Navy men to Yosemite, he met his future wife, Betty Hagstrom, and the two were married in 1945.
In 1950, Bob moved with his family to San Jose, where he spent more than 25 years as a manager of the General Electric Plant. In 1971, Bob and his wife moved to Aptos, where they have lived ever since. In Aptos, Bob began his second career as a real estate agent at the Kendall, Potter, & Mann firm.
Throughout his life, Bob was a central and active part of his communities. He served as president for the local Lions Club chapter, ran local student speaker competitions, and volunteered at the Doran Center for the Blind. Representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Veterans Day, he could be found passing out red poppies, commemorative of those who died in the service of their country.
Bob stood 6 feet 3 inches tall, had a loud and infectious laugh, and loved to joke around with anyone and everyone. He was also a man of tremendous integrity and loyalty, and was beloved by colleagues in each of his two careers.
Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty Inez Hagstrom; his two daughters, Jarilyn Jennison and Susan Schwartz; his son-in-laws, Marco Jennison and Howard Schwartz; his grandchildren, Richard Cerruti, Greta Hansen, and Cecilia Schwartz; their spouses Pamela Cerruti and Juan Carlos Montoy; his great grandchildren Jenna Cerruti, Johnny Cerruti, Luciana Hansen-Montoy, and Camila Hansen-Montoy, and by many other loving nieces, nephews and friends. The family wishes to express heartfelt appreciation to his caregiver Cindy for all her support.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the Hagstrom’s name to the Yosemite Conservancy Fund, 101 Montgomery St., Suite 1700, San Francisco, 94104.
Please join family and friends for a memorial service that will be held on Saturday, September 13th at 11:30 AM with a short reception to follow at the Congregational Church of Soquel, 4951 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA 95073.